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Treeleaf Global Service Days: January 11-25 2014

Our next Global Days of Service period is upon us!

It's a new year - let's start 2014 out right! There are many ways to serve one's family, one's nation, one's community, one's neighbor, one's environment - it is up to you to find a manner of service which is meaningful to you in the context of your life and Zen Buddhist practice -

I will start by letting you know that my participation in Global Day of Service over the last couple of years has progressed from the commitment of a day four times a year to a new career in social work and environmental advocacy (this way I get to commute to work in my kayak and/or bicycle )....

This is powerful stuff, service is, if you give it a chance it might just become a way of life!

As you participate in your service projects, please share your activity here - there is beauty and energy in practicing as a Sangha!

You and I have what we need. There is beauty in letting it go; sharing it -
The gift of service is boundless and inexhaustible
We will all be here; practicing together.

Please feel free to visit previous Global Day of Service threads of you are in need of ideas or inspiration!

Thank you Yugen for this wonderful opportunity to take our practice out to the world, where I feel it is needed. I will once again be sharing the wonderful beautiful of my little guy Bodhi with my granny and fellow folks at retirement facility she is at. The one year I did it is was a joyous experience for everyone - so I will continue the tradition. =)

I'm not sure if there is a special project for me either, this period. But I will continue with what I've been doing for the last couple months. I learned about this service through a suggestion here at Treeleaf!

I have become a "Chemo Angel." I basically, have been assigned to a person who has cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. I write notes/cards of encouragement and send small gifts every week. Because my person is internet savvy, we also exchange emails. It is humbling, sad, and wonderful and it is something that I truly enjoy. My person has chosen to share her journey with me, and if I can help her in any small way...to at least put a smile on her face, than it is truly worth it. If anyone is interested, here's the link: http://chemoangels.wix.com/chemo-ang...!home/mainPage

I found them through a larger micro-volunteering site that another member posted during one of our service periods, that site is: http://helpfromhome.org/

I had hoped to find something local, but most require a time commitment, which I cannot offer as my husband is putting in for another transfer...another move looming. Being a chemo angel is something that I can do wherever I go.

I will keep looking for other things to do around me during this service period though. Looking forward to see the things you all are doing.

thank you for posting this announcement. I recently spent a few hours explaining the benefits and problems of social media to my hospice's director...maybe it'll be me helping them to realise and organise their first facebook page during that time. We'll see.

Starting this weekend, and for 3 or 4 weekends more, I'll be part of a team delivering toys and blankets to children's hospitals.

Here we have some hospitals full with kids with cancer whose families can't afford toys or entertainment for the kids. So me and some friends will go give some relief. Hope I can post some photos soon.

And I am also starting to help some old folks who don't have either money or company.

Plus all the stuff I do, but I won't bore you with that.

Thank you Yugen. It's always nice to take part of this.

Gassho,

Kyonin

Please remember I am only a priest in training. I could be wrong in everything I say. Slap me if needed.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. Mr. Spock

I am spending most of the day tomorrow gathering donations of blankets, towels and bags of dry food for the local animal shelter. We drive around and collect the donations in the morning, sort everything by category later and drop it off at the shelter in the afternoon. The Tallahassee shelter is not a "no-kill" facility. So, these donations help to stretch the food and supply budget so the animals can stay longer and (hopefully) have a better chance at getting adopted.

I like to get my family involved so we are gathering some things to donate to the local library. I will also make it a point to give a little "more" at the "backpack" program our church participates in for a local High School. (For too many kids, their main source of food is at school. The backpack program provides food for the kids to take home and eat over the weekends)

Gassho,

Shugen

As a priest in training, please take everything I say with a pinch of salt

I was at the gas station and you know those scratch off machines? I just randomly hit a button and got a ticket. I looked around trying to find out who put the money in, but no one came back. After scratching I was amazed because I won $25. I never win anything from the lottery. So, I'm going to head to the store and buy food for the local pantry and think of other ways to help out the community.

A poor family from Armenia moved to my town recently. I have heard they have practically no possessions at all, i.e. they need almost everything.
We are preparing a package with things they can use for their small child.
Besides this I donated something to our local fire brigade today.
Will keep my eyes open for other ways to help in the next days.

It's so exciting and inspiring to hear of your projects - Edward (x2), Juki, Shugen, Daitetsu, John - I am so happy to be practicing with you.

I'd like to share an experience I had yesterday. I spent the morning working with an acquaintance who has a physical/neurological disability. We spent the morning going to the bank, food shopping, and running errands. My part was to drive and assist him with his various chores. In the course of preparing to go out (it was snowing) he was struggling with his socks. I waited patiently for him work with the elastic on the sock which caught on his toes, and after a few minutes he asked me if I would help him. I knelt down and very gently helped the sock over his instep and over the heel so he could finish pulling it on. In the course of doing so, there was a spontaneous act of reverence and partnership in doing so. My friend had trusted me sufficiently to be vulnerable in asking for help. I in turn, recognized the gift of trust he was giving me, and I was reminded of the Pope washing the feet of common individuals several months ago - an act of reverence and humility. The exchange between the two of us was very powerful - I felt honored to be asked to help, to be of service, and the opportunity to recognize that an act that most of us take for granted early in the day while focusing our attention on other things is a significant life event - and even obstacle - for many. My friend gave me a gift of the immediacy of the present - in the blink of an eye our situations could change and brushing our teeth, combing our hair, bathing - could represent a challenge requiring the same level of preparation, risk, and difficulty as climbing a Himalayan peak. In circumstances like this, individuals may spend months of effort learning to perform these tasks. Putting on a sock is elevated as a challenge to the level of an alpine conquest.

Puts things in perspective. Reverence in life is to be found in many things. Putting on socks, combing hair, stepping in puddles.

Hello all
Still very busy as a local scout leader. Recently helped out local food drive and raised some money for local food bank. I still have some coffee money I saved from my Ango practice, waiting for something to speak to me to donate this. If nothing speaks then I shall also give that to the food bank.
Gassho
C

Thank you for that Yugen. It was very inspiring and really urges me to always feel grateful. Especially for the little things. Ya know anicca... maybe someday I won't be able to put socks on easily either...

We usually try to do trash pickup which wouldn't have been possible until a recent thaw, so that may work after all. Otherwise, I will likely check out the links Kelly mentioned (noted below); thanks!

Gassho,
Dosho

Originally Posted by KellyRok

I have become a "Chemo Angel." I basically, have been assigned to a person who has cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. I write notes/cards of encouragement and send small gifts every week. Because my person is internet savvy, we also exchange emails. It is humbling, sad, and wonderful and it is something that I truly enjoy. My person has chosen to share her journey with me, and if I can help her in any small way...to at least put a smile on her face, than it is truly worth it. If anyone is interested, here's the link: http://chemoangels.wix.com/chemo-ang...!home/mainPage

I found them through a larger micro-volunteering site that another member posted during one of our service periods, that site is: http://helpfromhome.org/

I like your idea and am going to borrow it. This week, I am going to take my toddler to the grocery store and buy food to drop off together to a local food pantry. Helping others and teaching compassion.

This past Saturday I started my Global Service Days by joining the local Star Wars Fan Club to deliver toys and blankets to poor kids at a hospital. (Yes, I'm a huge nerd... nothing new there )

You see, traditionally in Latin American countries we don't have Santa Claus. It's the Three Wise Men who deliver toys to kids to remember when the original Wise Men got presents for baby Jesus. That's always in January 6th.

Now a days, with the economy going down the drain, more and more kids go without presents on Día de Reyes (Day of the Kings). So my friends and I always collect money so we can get a little relief for the kids and their families.

We collected toys and blankets for about 110 kids. It was a huge effort by everyone, but I think it was worth it.

Blankets were specially welcome for little babies, since winter has been pretty harsh on us this year.

Some of my friends wore their Star Wars or super hero costumes to cheer the kids up and it worked... except for the Tusken Rider outfit. That one scared the living hell out of the kids

This year was different for me, however. I was much more in tune with the suffering in kids and families. I talked to some of the parents. Some of them cried with me when I gave them the presents.

Lots of heart breaking stories, but it was nice to be there to listen and give a little support.

I specially was touched by Carlos, a 9 year old who lost his eyes and some fingers in an accident. I put a big and fluffy Daffy Duck on his lap and he was very happy to feel the texture and fluffiness.

He was in very bad shape. I didn't took any pictures of him.

And then was little Álvaro. He needs liver surgery and he was waiting for some paperwork to begin his treatment. He might not make it.

His mom was asking for any help available. Food, clothes... anything.

Please help me sit and wish metta for all children suffering illness and violence. And if you can, help a local hospital.

This event took almost all day and was tiring, but seeing the children smile made me feel home.

The day was super cold and now I'm sick

Here are some photos. Last one is a family shot. It's me with my dad. My dark dad.

I will be buying extra for the local food bank these next two weeks. They tend to do well up until Christmas and then become somewhat forgotten in January. Also the children and I will be making up a parcel of clothes and toys for Algerian children: http://www.algerianaction.co.uk/#/ho...elp/4567567047

I wish I could do more but have learned that consistent effort throughout the year is better than a two week burst. I was left drained after hat knitting in October.

I came across a good essay on Service today by Ven Bikkhu Bodhi, one of the founders of Buddhist Global Relief.

I hope that it inspires many of us ...

The Faith that Sustains Us

Worldly wisdom tells us that to volunteer time, money, and energy on relief work is naïve and self-defeating. After all, our lives are short and fleeting; death lurks in the shadows and opportunities for enjoyment are scarce. We live in a competitive world where only the tough survive, and our first obligation is to be tough ourselves. So it seems far more sensible to use our precious resources promoting our own interests rather than the good of others, who rarely acknowledge our benevolence anyway.

When personal wealth is the means to maximize the enjoyment of life, and everyone around us is scrambling to get richer, why should we fall behind? Why not take in all the wondrous variety of life, its sweet delights and spicy thrills, rather than charge after windmills, equipped only with broomsticks and garbage-can lids? We know that dragons and demons are nothing but pipe dreams. And so too, we often suspect, are our hopes of improving the world.

To a calculating mind, a commitment to humanitarian service not only deprives us of benefits we could easily enjoy ourselves, but also forces us to face facts we would prefer to avoid. Our minds are conditioned by instinct and habit to seek out pleasure and turn away from pain. We try to steer clear of anything that threatens us personally, but we also feel uneasy when we’re exposed to the pain of others. We like images of laughing children, fields of bright flowers, well-trimmed lawns, packaged breakfast cereals, and dancers gently swaying in pink and purple spotlights. Images of hungry people in distant lands spoil the fun.
To engage in relief work is, in a way, to swim against the current, to go against the drift of those around us. Like Dharma practice itself, it calls for patience, effort, mindfulness, and renunciation. So what can we rely on to sustain us in this work, to help us move against the current? One sustaining quality is expressed by the Pali word saddha, usually translated as faith. In this context, faith doesn’t mean belief in specific doctrines, not even the doctrines of Buddhism. In the sense intended here, faith might best be described as a confidence in the power of goodness. This is the conviction that to do good is inherently valuable, an activity that brings deep gratification and attunes us to a force greater than our individual being.

When we devote ourselves to service to others, inevitably we expose ourselves to risk. There is the risk that we’ll burn out; the risk that we’ll be mocked by others; the risk that our actions won’t be
appreciated; the risk that our best intentions will meet with failure. But despite these risks, when we’re willing to take chances, when we persist in our efforts to serve the good of others, the reason is that we’re sustained by faith. And that means faith in the intrinsic power of goodness: in its claims upon our conscience; in its ability to uplift us, crack us open, and connect us to a greater reality.
To have this kind of faith is to trust that behind the play of surface events, which appear so random and discrete, there lies a hidden power, a unifying force that will enable us to prevail over any
obstacles we meet. Where the intellect dithers, faith invites us to take the leap. It gives us the confidence that this force will bring us more abundant happiness than we could ever find by
pursuing the narrow goals of the ego, be it wealth, power, status, or fame.

We might compare this trust to that of a child learning to swim. At first glance, for the child to jump into the water is a reckless act. Throw a stone into the water and it sinks to the bottom; throw yourself into the water and you’re also bound to sink. Yet, when the child does jump into the pool, and then lets go, something amazing happens. The water supports her and gently buoys her up. She doesn’t sink but floats, and with practice she can learn to swim.

In a similar way, faith in the power of goodness cuts through doubt and hesitation, enabling us to float along on the current of the cosmic process. Common sense is like the person who tells the child she’ll sink like a stone. It tries to convince us that the purpose of our lives is to do whatever strikes our fancy, to consume and discard, to push our way to the top. It tells us that we’re perfectly entitled to use others as stepping-stones to our personal advancement.

But at Buddhist Global Relief, a different way of thinking guides our work. We regard people as ends and not as means. We consider them worthy of respect, as deserving a chance to live with hope and dignity. We rely on the faith that a law, a principle, an inner truth is silently at work behind the field of phenomena, supporting generosity over miserliness, compassion over apathy, and altruism over selfishness. Hidden by the face of appearances, it’s always there, as integral to the working of the universe as the dance of electrons, the binding of atoms into molecules, the ceaseless pulsing of the stars.
When we place trust in this law, we find that devoting ourselves to the good of others casts our own lives in a new light. It pulls down the hard walls of our self-identity; it strengthens our energy and determination; it expands our sense of shared identity until it encompasses the whole. This faith turns labor into love, self-sacrifice into ultimate self-fulfillment. And with that we acquire an enriching sense of purpose, a fountain of meaning more rewarding than all the petty trophies of the ego-self.

My wife, daughter and I are going to the dollar store to make care packages such as soap, hand warmers, tooth brush, non-perishable food items, etc. and pass them out to homeless people. There are many homeless people that hang out at traffic lights and ask people for chane, but I want to get out of the car and go where they live so we can interact with them a bit. What is ironic is one of the richest areas of town has many homeless people that live under bridges there. This area has a lot of foot traffic, but unless you get off the sidewalk you might not know there are homeless people making camp underneath you.

I have an ongoing opportunity to help an outdoor organization that supports people's wilderness experience. I can ramp up my time with them this year, doing some office work. Plus more donations to the food bank here.

Different strokes for different folks! Just a reminder, so time back someone mentioned zooniverse
Not everyone has the luxury of getting out and about. It's nice to work one-on-one but not always possible. Some of the projects at zooniverse include identifying planets, classifying, cancers, logging herbivores and on and on. Something for everyone. A recent project involves grading and tagging WWI diaries to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the war to end all wars. And you can do it all from your very own keyboard. Just click HERE to take the tutorial and you're on your way.

Let the fantasy of being an Historian be yours

gassho,

Last edited by Shokai; 01-14-2014 at 09:47 PM.

仁道 生開 - Jindo Shokai "Open to life in a benevolent way"
May all of our actions contribute to the harmony of the universe

I am please to say that I am in rehearsals for a show in a few weeks that will be put on at an art festival for the disabled, together with the challenged kids at the school where I volunteer.

Our skit is a tour through Tokyo, and I am playing "Tokyo Sky Tree", a new giant antenna tower that the Japanese are very proud of here ... I wear a large hat shaped like the tower, and do a little dance with the kids.

Hi all,
For my service this time I'm cleaning up the room I share with the Muslim students at college that we use for practice. It needs a good clean and the cleaning budget had been cut. So, that's it really.
Gassho
Myozan

I am not sure what I do is worth talking about but when my office manager wants to fire my patients because they can't pay I continue to see them pro bono as long as I can. I also sponsor a poor child from Brazil with a minimal monthly contribution that helps with food and education. :-)

Jishin,
I am just a novice priest and don't know much but it seems to me your profession is about service and healing. When you offer your skills and healing abilities to others pro bono I can't think of a more engaged community practice, or human activity. I am proud to be a brother and Sanghamate of yours, and fellow human being.

We encourage folks to make engaged practice a part of their lives, to give time to the service of others periodically in the hope that over time the boundary between self and others dissolves and we realize our profound connectedness.

I know how important and vital your contribution is - my Dad was a private practice internist in a mill town in Massachusetts whose clientele were immigrants - many of whom didn't speak English - he made house calls and often accepted payment in baked goods, chickens, or just told people not to worry. When he retired he told me about a third of his accounts went uncollected. He was a fine man and physician. I'm glad you are here in our Sangha, and out in the world maintaining the dignity and integrity of your oath.

It seems to me you are teaching us here. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I bow to you. I also understand your office manager is trying to do her job, and manage resources fairly so you can provide services to your clientele. The health care delivery system today is complex and difficult, with sometimes heart-wrenching decisions. I bow to her as well.

A small act of kindness and giving on my families behalf. We gave my bass guitar to the neighbor kid who is in band with my son. They needed a new bass and we thought it would serve it's purpose best with somebody who could use it more than I.

Gassho,
Jeff

"Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma see no Dharma in everyday actions. They have not yet discovered that there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma."

A small act of kindness and giving on my families behalf. We gave my bass guitar to the neighbor kid who is in band with my son. They needed a new bass and we thought it would serve it's purpose best with somebody who could use it more than I.

Gassho,
Jeff

Awesome! It's acts such as this that snowball and get "payed forward" so to speak, and help to make the World a better place!

I have a friend who was recently sent to prison for felony DUI. He drew the ire of the judge because 3 days prior to sentencing he was involved in another wreck (no one was hurt) while drinking; it bought him the maximum sentence of 6-20 years. He will not be eligible for parole until 2019. He is a young man who used to work for me and is a war vet. His trouble with alcoholism has led to poor decisions and it really bothered me watching him cause so much pain in his life and the lives of others. I am currently corresponding with him while he is behind the fence and can't help but feel an urge to help others who are substance abusers. Perhaps I will find something to do along these lines for our service days. If anyone has any ideas on how I can do this it would be much appreciated.

Hi Tim,
I hope you can continue to support your friend while he is incarcerated. There are many opportunities to help individuals who are "behind the fence," whether through correspondence, mentoring individuals as they prepare for release, donating books, etc. The availability of volunteer programs varies by state, and that includes the "attitude" towards incarceration in that particular jurisdiction. Here is an excellent resource as a start:

You might also Google "victim offender mediation program nevada" and you will find a link to a court-managed program in your state. It is a restorative/mediation justice program, and there is a Neighborhood Justice Center in the Clark County Courts that appears to offer mediator training to volunteers.

Hi
I work in healthcare, and I had been doing "my job" when at work. I have discovered that there are many additional ways of serving others, and by going out of my way (my job) to do those things rather than just directing people elsewhere. It is amazing that even by doing little things, such as being extra friendly and supportive, listening, and being more giving, how much happier and less stressed people become. There are many other ways to help, we just have to look around us. Sometimes in very busy situations we forget these things.

I am not sure what I do is worth talking about but when my office manager wants to fire my patients because they can't pay I continue to see them pro bono as long as I can. I also sponsor a poor child from Brazil with a minimal monthly contribution that helps with food and education. :-)

Gassho, Jishin

Hey, I'll be able to join you on that front soon. Right now I volunteer at the local Good Samaritan clinic whenever I get the chance. With my limited training I'm not sure how much I add to the patient's actual care yet, but you have to start somewhere!

Also, on an unrelated note, I'm totally hitting you up for advice when I hit my rotations

This period has been an busy one for me, add the fact its dead winter here, so not much optoins outside, menas not much time to get going.
Aside from the daily things i have done some talks, where i donated the funds raised to http://www.ankarstiftelsen.com/, and helped people and projects out, such as moving, starting to learn swedish asf.

Hello! last december I´ve just opened a small martial arts with school with my Wing Chun teacher, he teaches Wing Chun, I teach Tai Chi and meditation.

So, every week I am teaching a "charity class" people can take the class for a small donation if they can afford it (usually I use it for stuff we all use at the school, like paper towels or coffee) or completely free if they can´t afford it. So far I´ve done this 4 times in december, two times on january and I´m panning to make them last for all the year, 4 times per month.

The other project, is to clean and restore a small comunity park with a little fountain, on the same street where the martial arts school is and a friend´s skateshop, the idea, is to grab together both of our staffs and students (in my case) and together do the park work. We are still on the details of it, gettin tools and materials. I´ll let you know how it went.

A recent project involves grading and tagging WWI diaries to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the war to end all wars. And you can do it all from your very own keyboard. Just click HERE to take the tutorial and you're on your way.

Having been sick most of the last couple weeks I decided to work on the WWI diary project (operationwardiary.org) and it's absolutely fascinating. I have some experience working with diaries (my Master's thesis was largely an examination of the diary of William Heard Kilpatrick, an important innovator in education), so I thought I'd give this a try. You can tag dates, times, places, casualties, names, and other activities of the troops (lots of fixing trenches!). I know a fair amount about WWII, but have very little knowledge of WWI. So, what better way to learn about it than from the troops on the ground in France? It will also make the diaries available to people researching genealogy and professional historians. This provides benefit to so many people!

Late comer to the party. Some inspirational stuff on here. During this period of service I set up the videos for my wedding so that my great aunt (who lives in a home and was unable to attend at the time) could see. It was nice to see the look on her face.
also, as part of a charity service over here called AgeUK (a commitment that will be ongoing on my part) I visited an old man who has quite bad mobility problems. During my time with him I walked beside him as he attempted to get to the street from his house and back (his goal is to be able to walk independently again without falling over) and had a good chat with him afterwards. It was good to see him and the plan is to see him about every week or so.